Fingertip Covering Device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to the field of nail devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fingertip-covering device that is comprised of a fingertip-shaped body that has a first end with a continuous opening and a second end with a continuous opening. In differing embodiments, the body may be manufactured from a plastic or rubber material that may be flexible, semi-flexible or rigid. The body further has a first end that has a continuous opening that allows a user to insert a fingertip into the device and a second end further comprised of a top surface that exposes the nail of the user. In this manner, all other skin portions of the fingertip of the user are covered with the exception of the nail. Therefore, the nail can then be decorated while the skin area around the nail is protected from overspray.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/280,649, which was filed on Nov. 18, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of nail devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fingertip cover device that is comprised of a fingertip-shaped body that has a first end with a continuous opening and a second end with a continuous opening. In differing embodiments, the body may be manufactured from a plastic or rubber material that may be flexible, semi-flexible, or rigid. The body further has a first end that has a continuous opening that allows a user to insert a fingertip into the device and a second end further comprised of a top surface that exposes the nail of the user. In this manner, all other skin portions of the fingertip of the user are covered, with the exception of the nail. Therefore, the nail can then be decorated while the skin area around the nail is protected from overspray. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Nail art is an extremely popular means of creative self-expression. With advancements in recent technology, there are nearly endless ways to decorate natural or artificial nails. However, many decorating techniques that involve spraying nails can be extremely messy. As a result, the fingertip skin around the nails can be stained or covered in nail spray. To avoid this, nail technicians will commonly apply a vinyl, U-shaped tape around each nail to cover the fingertip skin or apply a brush-on liquid latex around the fingertip skin in the same manner. However, both methods contain inherent limitations, as they take a significant amount of skill, effort, and time to apply and remove. In addition, both methods are not reusable. Further, some individuals may be allergic to latex, so brush-on latex is not an option. Brush-on latex is also undesirable due to its tendency to try out quickly and become unusable.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that overcomes the limitations of existing methods of protecting fingertip skin while decorating nails. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a fingertip cover device that covers the fingertip skin of a user while allowing the nails of the user to remain unobstructed such that they can be decorated. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a fingertip cover device that is reusable and is inexpensive to manufacture.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a fingertip cover device. The device is comprised of a fingertip-shaped body that has a first end with a continuous opening and a second end with a continuous opening. In differing embodiments, the body may be manufactured from a plastic or rubber material that may be flexible, semi-flexible or rigid. The body further has a first end that has a continuous opening that allows a user to insert a fingertip into the device and a second end further comprised of a top surface that exposes the nail of the user. In this manner, all other skin portions of the fingertip of the user are covered, with the exception of the nail. Therefore, the nail can then be decorated while the skin area around the nail is protected from overspray.

In this manner, the fingertip cover device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides a device that overcomes the limitations of existing methods of protecting and covering fingertip skin while decorating nails. While doing so, the device also allows the nails of the user to remain unobstructed, such that they can be decorated. Further, the fingertip cover device is reusable and is inexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a fingertip cover device. The device is primarily comprised of a fingertip-shaped body that has a first end with a continuous opening, and a second end with a continuous opening. In differing embodiments, the body may be manufactured from a plastic or rubber material that may be flexible, semi-flexible or rigid. The body may be any color known in the art, may be transparent, semi-transparent or opaque, and may have a plurality of indicia such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc.

The body further has a first end that has a continuous opening that allows a user to insert a fingertip into the device. The body also has a second end, wherein the top surface of the second end is further comprised of a continuous opening that exposes the nail of the user. In this manner, all other skin portions of the fingertip of the user are covered, with the exception of the nail. In one embodiment, the device may have a kit of multiple devices of differing sizes to accommodate differing lengths, widths, circumferences and shapes of fingers. In another embodiment, the body has a removable, adhesive film covering that is adhered to the outer surface of the body to prevent overspray from a nail paint or other nail-related spray while the device is worn on a fingertip. In a further embodiment, the body material is washable, such that any overspray can be washed off the body. In this manner, the device can be easily reused without being covered in overspray.

The device is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, at least one device is placed on at least one fingertip of a finger of a user by placing the fingertip through the continuous opening of the first end. Then, the nail of the fingertip can be pulled through the continuous opening of the second end, and the body can be repositioned as necessary such that only the nail is exposed and the rest of the fingertip is covered by the device. Once in position, the nail can be sprayed using a spraying device to spray a decorative spray onto the nail. Then, the device remains around the fingertip and nail as the nail dries. Once the nail has dried, the device can be removed from the fingertip by retracting the fingertip from the body via the first opening. It should be noted that this process can then be repeated or done simultaneously for all other fingers of a user.

Accordingly, the fingertip cover device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that overcomes the limitations of existing methods of protecting fingertip skin while decorating nails. While doing so, the device also allows the nail or nails of the user to remain unobstructed, such that they can be decorated. Further, the fingertip cover device is reusable and is inexpensive to manufacture. In this manner, the fingertip cover device overcomes the limitations of existing methods of using vinyl and latex to protect and cover fingertip skin while decorating nails known in the art.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a plurality of fingertip cover devices of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a plurality of fingertip cover devices of the present invention while worn on a plurality of fingers of a user and while the nails of the user are being sprayed by a spraying device in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of one potential method of using one potential embodiment of a fingertip cover device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that overcomes the limitations of existing methods of protecting and covering fingertip skin while decorating nails. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a fingertip cover device that covers the fingertip skin of a user while allowing the nail or nails of the user to remain unobstructed, such that they can be decorated. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a fingertip cover device that is reusable and is inexpensive to manufacture.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a fingertip cover device primarily comprised of a fingertip-shaped body that has a first end with a continuous opening and a second end with a continuous opening. The body may be manufactured from a plastic or rubber material that may be flexible, semi-flexible or rigid. The body may be any color known in the art, may be transparent, semi-transparent or opaque, and may have a plurality of indicia such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc.

The body further has a first end that has a continuous opening that allows a user to insert a fingertip into the device. The second end of the body has a top surface that is further comprised of a continuous opening that exposes the nail of the user. As such, all other skin portions of the fingertip of the user are covered by the device, with the exception of the nail. In one embodiment, the device may have a kit of multiple devices of differing sizes to accommodate differing lengths, widths, circumferences and shapes of fingers. In another embodiment, the body has a removable, adhesive film covering that is adhered to the outer surface of the body to prevent overspray from a nail paint or other nail-related spray while the device is worn on a fingertip. In a further embodiment, the body material is washable, such that any overspray can be washed off the body. In this manner, the device can be easily reused without being covered in overspray.

The device is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, at least one device is placed on at least one fingertip of a finger of a user by placing the fingertip through the continuous opening of the first end. Then, the nail of the fingertip can be pulled through the continuous opening of the second end and the body can be repositioned as necessary, such that only the nail is exposed and the rest of the fingertip is covered by the device. Once in position, the nail can be sprayed using a spraying device to spray a decorative spray onto the nail. Then, the device remains around the fingertip and nail as the nail dries. Once the nail has dried, the device can be removed from the fingertip by retracting the fingertip from the body via the first opening. It should be noted that this process can then be repeated or done simultaneously for all other fingers of a user.

Accordingly, the fingertip cover device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that overcomes the limitations of existing methods of protecting fingertip skin while decorating nails. While doing so, the device also allows the nail or nails of the user to remain unobstructed, such that they can be decorated. Further, the fingertip cover device is reusable and is inexpensive to manufacture. In this manner, the fingertip cover device overcomes the limitations of existing methods of using vinyl and latex to protect fingertip skin while decorating nails known in the art.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a plurality of fingertip cover devices 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is primarily comprised of a fingertip-shaped body 110 that has a first end 130 with a continuous opening and a second end 140 with a continuous opening 142. In differing embodiments, the body 110 may be manufactured from a material that may be flexible, semi-flexible or rigid. Said material may be a plastic such as, but not limited to, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, recycled plastic, biodegradable plastic, etc., or a rubber material such as, but not limited to, neoprene, silicone, nitrile, EPDM, Styrene-Butadiene, butyl, natural, fluorosilicone, acetone-proof, etc. Further, the body 110 may be any color known in the art and may be transparent, semi-transparent or opaque. In addition, the body 110 may have a plurality of indicia 150 such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc.

As noted, the body 110 is preferably shaped like a fingertip 10. The body 110 further has a first end 130 and a second end 140. The first end 130 has a continuous opening 132 that allows a user to insert a fingertip 10 into the device 100. The top surface 120 of the second end 140 is further comprised of a continuous opening 142 that exposes the nail 12 of the user. In this manner, all other skin portions of the fingertip 10 of the user are covered by the device 100, with the exception of the nail 12. In differing embodiments, the device 100 may have a kit 200 of multiple devices 100 of differing sizes, to accommodate differing lengths, widths, circumferences and shapes of fingers 5.

In one embodiment, the body 110 has a removable, adhesive film covering 152 that is adhered to the outer surface 112 of the body. In this manner, the covering 152 can cover the body 110 to prevent overspray from a nail paint or other nail-related spray while the device 100 is worn on a fingertip 10. This in turn preserves the color of the body 110. In a differing embodiment, the body 110 material is washable and reusable, such that any overspray can be washed off the body 110. In this manner, the device 100 can be easily reused without being covered in overspray.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of one potential method 300 of using one potential embodiment of a fingertip cover device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is also comprised of a method 300 of using the device 100. First, at least one device 100 is placed on at least one fingertip 10 of a finger 5 of a user by placing the fingertip 10 through the continuous opening 132 of the first end 130 [Block 302]. Then, the nail 12 of the fingertip 10 can be pulled through the continuous opening 142 of the second end 140 [Block 304]. Next, the body 110 can be repositioned as necessary such that only the nail 12 is exposed, and the rest of the fingertip 10 is covered by the device 100 [Block 306]. Once in position, the nail 12 can be sprayed using a spraying device 20 to spray a decorative spray 22 onto the nail 12, as seen in FIG. 2 [Block 308]. Then, the device 100 remains around the fingertip 10 and nail 12 as the nail 12 dries [Block 310]. Once the nail 12 has dried, the device 100 can be removed from the fingertip 10 by retracting the fingertip 10 from the body 110 via the first opening 132 [Block 312]. This process can then be repeated or done simultaneously for all other fingers 5 of a user.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name, but not structure or function. As used herein “fingertip cover device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the fingertip cover device 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the fingertip cover device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the fingertip cover device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the fingertip cover device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the fingertip cover device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the fingertip cover device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fingertip covering device comprising: a fingertip-shaped body further comprised of: a first end with an opening therein, wherein the opening is sized and configured to receive a human fingertip; and a second end; a finger nail-shaped opening positioned adjacent to the second end; and an interior cavity extending between the opening and the finger nail-shaped opening.
 2. The fingertip covering device of claim 1, wherein the fingertip-shaped body is comprised of a semi-flexible material.
 3. The fingertip covering device of claim 1, wherein the fingertip-shaped body is comprised of a rubber material.
 4. The fingertip covering device of claim 1, wherein the fingertip-shaped device is comprised of a plastic material.
 5. The fingertip covering device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of indicia selected from a group consisting of a pattern, a logo, an emblem, an image, a symbol, a design, a letter, a word, a character, an animal, an advertisement and a brand.
 6. The fingertip covering device of claim 1, wherein the fingertip cover device is comprised of a kit having a plurality of the fingertip-shaped bodies in differing sizes.
 7. The fingertip covering device of claim 1, wherein the fingertip-shaped body is washable.
 8. The fingertip covering device of claim 1, wherein the fingertip-shaped body is reusable.
 9. A fingertip covering device comprising: a fingertip-shaped body further comprised of: a first end with an opening therein; and a second end; a finger nail-shaped opening positioned adjacent to the second end; an interior cavity extending between the opening and the finger nail shaped opening; and an adhesive film covering.
 10. The fingertip covering device of claim 9, wherein the fingertip-shaped body is comprised of a semi-flexible material.
 11. The fingertip covering device of claim 9, wherein the fingertip-shaped body is comprised of a rubber material.
 12. The fingertip covering device of claim 9, wherein the fingertip-shaped body is comprised of a plastic material.
 13. The fingertip covering device of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of indicia selected from a group consisting of a pattern, a logo, an emblem, an image, a symbol, a design, a letter, a word, a character, an animal, an advertisement and a brand.
 14. The fingertip covering device of claim 9, wherein the fingertip cover device is further comprised of a kit having a plurality of the fingertip-shaped bodies of differing sizes.
 15. The fingertip covering device of claim 9, wherein the fingertip-shaped body is both washable and reusable.
 16. The fingertip covering device of claim 9, wherein the adhesive film covering is adhered to an outer surface of the fingertip-shaped body.
 17. A method of using a fingertip covering device during a nail procedure, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a fingertip of a user having a fingernail into an opening in a first end of a body portion of the fingertip covering device; exposing the fingernail of the user through a fingernail-shaped opening in the body portion of the fingertip covering device; spraying the fingernail of the user with a decorative spray using a spraying device; allowing the fingertip covering device to remain around the fingertip of the user as the decorative spay dries on the fingernail; and removing the fingertip covering device from the fingertip after the decorative spray has dried by retracting the fingertip through the opening.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the fingernail-shaped opening in the body portion is adjacent a second end of the fingertip covering device.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the fingertip covering device comprises an adhesive film covering and a plurality of indicia.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the fingertip covering device comprises an internal cavity that extends between the opening and the fingernail-shaped opening. 